Objective: To establish a qualitative and quantitative determination method by using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

in order to determine aristolochic acid I in complex traditional Chinese medicine matrix. Method: Chinese medicinal materials of aristolochiaceae and other easily confused species were used as the research object. Chromatographic separation was performed with Agilent ZORBAX XDB-C18 column (2.1 mm×50 mm

3.5 μm) by gradient elution with mobile phase of 0.2% formic acid in water-methanol. The flow rate was 0.2 mL·min-1

and the column temperature was 35 ℃. The target compounds were analyzed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM) with positive electrospray ionization (ESI+). The concentration was calculated with indomethacin as the internal standard. Result: Aristolochic acid I showed a good linearity within the range of 21.65-1 732 μg·L-1 (r=0.997 2). The recovery was 82.87% -89.22%

the average recovery rate was 86.07% (n=6)

and the RSD was 2.5%. Precision of the instrument and repeatability of the method were good. Based on this method

the content of aristolochic acid I in the Chinese herbal medicines collected nationwide was determined

and the results were accurate and reliable. Conclusion: This method is simple

quick

highly sensitive and specific

and can be used for the detection of Chinese medicinal materials containing or possibly containing aristolochic acid I component. The results of resource data showed that the contents of aristolochic acid I in different kinds of herbs were significantly different

especially in Aristolochia tuberosa

which had the highest content. The results can also provide an experimental basis and reference for content limit of aristolochic acidⅠin Aristolochiaceae plants and its reasonable use.